Jail Costs for Illegals Sought(DEPORT THE INCARCERATED!)

WASHINGTON -- Insisting that border security is the federal government's job, senators from California, Arizona and Texas are demanding Washington chip in $6.4 billion to cover the cost of jailing undocumented criminals.

It costs states an estimated $1 billion annually to jail undocumented immigrants who commit crimes on U.S. soil, but Congress last year appropriated just $305 million. Los Angeles County received $13.8 million toward its estimated costs of $80 million to $100 million.

"This legislation is intended to remind the federal government to fulfill its duties and to help state and local governments deal with the burden that illegal criminal aliens have placed on their justice systems," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

But prospects for the funding worsened last week when President George W. Bush vowed in his State of the Union address to slash 150 government programs he considers either ineffective or duplicative. The State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, or SCAAP, is likely to fall into one of those categories.

The Bush administration has sought to eliminate the program since 2001, arguing there is less need because the federal government is stepping up border security.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said the federal Homeland Security Department is training six custody assistants to help identify illegal immigrants in the county jails.

Whitmore said that having federal agents keeping tabs on the number of undocumented inmates -- he estimated that 25 percent of the inmates are in the country illegally -- might help sway decision-makers to open the federal purse.

Meanwhile, Feinstein and Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., are leading the charge in the Senate to convince Congress the money is vital. The senators are asking for $750 million in 2006, $850 million in 2007, and $950 million in each of the five years after that.

Frankly, California has some nerve (and I live there!) to keep asking for more funds to keep the illegal aliens incarcerated (and don't forget all the social services $$ the Fed contributes to in the great Golden State) when a California Judge overturned Prop. 187, various California cities have instituted "don't ask, don't tell about illegal status" policies on their Law Enforcement and blockaded Border Patrol from coming into cities above the border to apprehend illegal immigrants. Maybe if California was seperated from the Federal teat it would take some of the problems it has created more seriously.

It's about time anyone in the MSM picked up on this! Find out how much your county and state were financially assisted by the SCAAP program in 2004 Here. PDF files, pops in new window. Every dollar there, will be a new tax at the state and county level if SCAAP is eliminated.

None of the money NOT going to provide financial assistance to local governments through the failings of the Federal government, are to be used to correct the failings of the federal Governments border control policy. Bush looked the American people in the eyes, and lied about the number of Border Patrol agents to be newly hired.

Maybe if California was seperated from the Federal teat it would take some of the problems it has created more seriously.

Actually you couldn't be more wrong!

"California taxpayers benefit less than almost any other state from each tax dollar sent to the federal government. In 2002, only five states received less in federal funds than they paid in federal taxes, as California taxpayers received only 76 cents in federal expenditures for every dollar in federal taxes. In 1992, by contrast, California taxpayers were receiving 93 cents in federal expenditures on each taxable dollar: yet another example in the rise in taxes in the state of California. Comparing the amount of federal taxes sent to Washington with the amount of federal spending coming back to the state."
http://www.taxfoundation.org/california

California has the 5th largest economy in the world. The problems however arise when California Government supports financially subsidizing illegal immigrants through social services. They also support illegal immigrants by not letting Border Patrol and INS do their job. They support this by not allowing LAPD report illegals to INS to be deported. They allow this by letting San Diego effectively kick the Border Patrol out of the city limits and not letting them arrest anyone.

California has created a lot of its own problems.

Just swell.

The Bush administration has sought to eliminate the program since 2001, arguing there is less need because the federal government is stepping up border security.

Yeah right.

News from Hollenbeck C-PAB by Dave Macpherson

Aug, 2004

An important job for members of the Hollenbeck Community Police Advisory Board is to provide information about the Los Angeles Police Department to the community. One of the most important things is to communicate to residents of Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Montecito Heights, Monerey Hills and Hermon that they need not fear the police.

Many people are afraid to have any dealings with the police or other authorities. For some the fear may be because they themselves or other family members or even friends may not have documentation of legal residence in the United States. That fear may be justified in other situations, but special precautions have been taken by LAPD to ensure that immigrant status is not a factor in criminal investigations. The police do not enforce immigration laws.

Procedures of the police department are set forth in the LAPD manual, which include the following:

"Officers shall not initiate police action where the objective is to discover the alien status of a person. Officers shall neither arrest nor book persons for violation of Title 8, Section 1325 of the United States Immigration Code (illegal entry)."

The policy statement in that manual states:

"Undocumented alien status in itself is not a matter for police action. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all employees of this Department to make a personal commitment to equal enforcement of the law and service to the public regardless of alien status."

The manual emphasizes that police service will be available to all persons, including the undocumented alien. Police service can help ensure a safe and tranquil environment for all. Participation and involvement of the undocumented alien community in police activities will increase the Department's ability to serve the entire community.

It is doubly important that all residents of Los Angeles be able to report crimes and assist the police in their efforts to improve the quality of life of everyone. Such involvement will help the police prevent the exploitation of any resident, especially those who are most vulnerable to exploitation.

The Community Police Advisory Boards are one of the most important elements in community policing. Members of the Hollenbeck CPAB invite any resident of the community to attend their meetings. Meetings are at 6:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in the community room at Hollenbeck station, 2111 East First Street.

Dave Macpherson

http://www.asnc.us/committees/CommPubSafety-Hollenbeck.html

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